IROIS. 327 



description, as they contained a large proportion of earthy sub- 

 stances. The best sample was found to contain from thirty to 

 thirty-five per cent, of earthy and saline matters, and from fifteen 

 to twenty per cent, of water, leaving on an average fifty per cent, 

 of pure bitumen. I have no doubt, however, that bitumen taken 

 from the centre of the lake would be found to contain a far less 

 proportion of extraneous matters. It is evident from the above 

 analysis that the Trinidad bitumen ought to undergo some pre- 

 paration before being shipped, so as to deprive it, as far as possible, 

 of its foreign and accidental constituents. Petroleum should be 

 extracted on the spot, and the residue made a distinct export. 

 Captain Cochrane has already succeeded in turning the Trinidad 

 bitumen to account in useful appliances ; and its conversion into 

 fuel, under his patent, indefinitely widens the prospects of its 

 application; whilst its adaptability to many objects of large con- 

 sumption leads us into speculations as to its value as a natural 

 resource. A small establishment has been erected on the lake itself, 

 and another in Port-of-Spain, for the preparation of bitumen. 



The Ward of Irois. This ward bears, in point of soil and 

 general aspect, the closest resemblance to that of La Brea ; it is 

 highly undulating, particularly towards the interior ; the soil is 

 deep but poor, being light and sandy generally, and, in some places, 

 of a gray and reddish colour. Nearly the whole of this ward is 

 crown property, and scanty crops of ground provisions only are 

 cultivated by a few scattered settlers ; it nevertheless once boasted 

 of its sugar estates, among which La Paix was the largest and 

 most productive. An extensive forest of mora trees lines the 

 course of the river Irois, and probably spreads out in the interior 

 to a very great distance ; there are besides a few locust, carapa, 

 guatecare, and olivier trees. This forest of moras had attracted 

 the notice of Sir Ralph Woodford ; it was, however, eventually 

 lost sight of, and may be said, in some measure, to have been 

 discovered anew by Mr. Wm. Purdie, the government botanist. 

 His Excellency, Rear- Admiral Elliot, has now decided on taking 

 advantage of this natural wood-yard, and turning the mora, and 

 other timbers, to useful purposes. A penal depot has been 

 formed on the right bank of the river, on an elevation at a few 

 yards' distance from the sea ; it is capable of receiving convicts, 

 and is a cleanly and well-ordered establishment. The labour 

 exacted from the convicts is that of felling and preparing the 



